Historic Highway 68 cuts a path through the center of Lebanon and serves as its Main Street. Stretching from Paducah to Maysville, U.S. 68 is the mother of all Kentucky’s historic highways, which were once major thoroughfares linking small towns across the state.

Because of interstates and parkways, many travelers bypass these comfortable and educational routes, never realizing what treasures they are missing.

Lebanon is the epicenter of Historic Highway 68, not only for its location but for its scenic beauty and dining and shopping experiences along the way. This historic trail was used by Andrew Jackson, Jane Todd Crawford and General Lafayette.

The portion through Lebanon and Marion County includes, at one end, the Muldraugh Hill range, once named a Top 10 fall drive in a national poll, and, at the other end, undulating farmland with crops, swaying hayfields, old barns and grazing livestock that give it a postcard feel.

In between is downtown Lebanon with its Civil War sites and historic buildings, great Kentucky cuisine with a local flair, antique stores, eclectic boutiques and southern hospitality at every stop.

In a two-mile stretch through downtown Lebanon, travelers have their choice of 28 places to eat from delis to fast food to eclectic sit-down restaurants. There's even an old-fashioned soda fountain.

The "Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan in Lebanon, Ky." and "Historic Homes & Landmarks of Lebanon, Ky." self-guided walking/driving tours wind their way through downtown with significant portions of each right on U.S. 68.

Travelers on U.S. 68 in Lebanon and Marion County pass by the site of Camp Crittenden, the fourth-largest black soldier military post during the Civil War, site of the Battle of Lebanon where the old Union Commissary still stands, the Belltown Cemetery where the graves of slaves are still marked and Ryder Cemetery, burial ground of some Civil War soldiers, including Union Gen. Andrew Offutt and his monument.

Even the Marion County Public Library with its comprehensive genealogy room is located right on U.S. 68.

Some of the most fascinating local attractions, including Maker's Mark Distillery, Historic Penn's Store and the Lebanon National Cemetery, are only minutes off the beaten path along this portion of U.S. 68.

In recent years, the Kentucky Department of Transportation has widened sections of U.S. 68 throughout Marion County and removed some of the sharper bends making this a comfortable and safe route right across the Heart of Kentucky.

Travelers can spend a day or week on Historic Highway 68, re-discovering the interesting rural communities that give Kentucky its unique taste.

Historic Highway 68 is also site of 400 Miles of Antiques, Collectibles & Stuff held the first week of June each year.

For more information, call 270.692.0021 or visit www.trailsrus.com.